Spaceflight Insider
Matt Haskell
February 13th, 2021
An illustration of the Gateway’s Power and Propulsion Element and Habitation and Logistics Outpost in orbit around the Moon. Image: NASA
In a contract award as part of NASA’s Artemis program, NASA announced on Tuesday, February 9, that they have awarded the launch contract for initial elements of the Gateway Lunar Outpost to SpaceX and their Falcon Heavy rocket. With a total cost of $331.8 million for the launch and other mission related costs, the Hawthorne, California, based company will utilize its Falcon Heavy rocket to place both the Power & Propulsion Element (PPE), as well as the Habitation & Logistics Outpost (HALO) into lunar orbit. The launch will take place no earlier than May 2024, and will launch from Kennedy Space Center’s historic Launch Complex 39A.
Spaceflight Insider
Matt Haskell
February 13th, 2021
United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket pathfinder test article was driven onto Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this morning, following its recent arrival by sea, aboard RS RocketShip. Image: Matt Haskell, Spaceflight Insider
Progress continues to advance for United Launch Alliance’s newest rocket, as the pathfinder for the Vulcan rocket arrived by the company’s cargo ship and was unloaded at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Saturday, February 15.
A nearly flight capable booster, the Pathfinder Tanking Test (PTT) booster will be utilized for checkouts of the new rocket’s Ground Support Equipment, as well as launch and integration hardware. While visiting the pad, the PTT will also undergo a full cryogenic tanking test to verify the booster’s flight pressure integrity. While the booster is currently fitted with static fired test engines that are no longer flight capable, according to ULA CEO Tory Bruno, the PT
Check Out These Jaw-Dropping Shots Of The B-2 Spirit Refueling From a KC-135 After The Super Bowl Flyover
Check Out These Jaw-Dropping Shots Of The B-2 Spirit Refueling From a KC-135 After The Super Bowl Flyover
A B-2 Spirit assigned to Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., prepares to receive fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker, Feb 7, 2021. A B-2 Spirit performed alongside a B-1B Lancer and a B-52 Stratofortress for the Super Bowl LV flyover on Feb. 7, 2021.
The B-2 Spirit was part of the first-of-its-kind trifecta flyover during the National Anthem performance at the LV Super Bowl.
As you already know by now, the Super Bowl LV, in Tampa, Florida, saw a pretty unique three-ship flyover formation including a B-2 Spirit (93-1086/WA callsign DRAGON 51) from Whiteman AFB, Missouri ; a B-1B Lancer (86-0108/EL c/s DRAGON 52) from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, and a B-52 Stratofortress (60-0012/MT c/s DRAGON 53) from Minot AFB, North Dakota.
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